Coronation Street actor Harry Visinoni, who played Seb Franklin, said goodbye to the soap and its viewers in a video posted on the Corrie Twitter account.
He said he was glad his character could shed light on so many important issues throughout his stint, after he tragically died on Friday when he succumbed to his injuries following a hate attack on him and girlfriend Nina Lucas, who survived.
The heartbreaking scenes moved viewers to tears as his mother Abi Franklin found out he had gone, and wailed as she said goodbye to her last remaining child.
Dressed in a hoodie, Harry said to the camera: "Hi guys, I just want to say thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, for all the support over the years.
© coronationstreet/TwitterHarry Visinoni said goodbye to Corrie after Seb's tragic death
"It's been a pretty rough ride for Seb, but I am very happy he has allowed the show to touch on some very important issues, from HIV to human trafficking and now to this, it's been an honour, a privilege, and a pleasure."
"So unfortunately, Weatherfield is down a man bun!" he joked. "But hopefully they will survive, and thank you so much from the bottom of my heart."
He added: "I hope you have enjoyed the journey, because I definitely have."
One fan replied: "I'm absolutely devastated! Seb and Nina had so much potential - an excellent storyline to show the senseless cruelty of thugs and the appalling consequences. Well done on excellent performances.".
Another wrote: "What an emotional episode. I liked Seb and heartbroken he died ... Phenomenal scenes from @molgallagher11_ @Harry_Visinoni @sallycarman1 & everyone else #corrie xx".
A third gushed: "You've been phenomenal Harry, what a loss to the show. We didn't even know. You won't be forgotten .
© PANina and Seb were brutally attacked during Wednesday's episode
"I wish I know, you will be leaving. What a fine superb actor you've been. What a way to go ... This is too much my gosh. Wishing you all the best xxx @Harry_Visinoni ".
Harry has said that he was left incredibly emotional while filming his final scenes, admitting that he "welled up" when the director called it a "wrap".
He said: "At the end it was like, 'It's a wrap for Harry!' kind of thing and got a clap and all that. I was welling up! Which is a rare thing for me, really."
Despite the sad end to his character, Harry said that he was content with his character being killed off as hadn't meant to stay in the soap "forever" and had wanted to be part of such a big storyline.
He said: "I had a meeting with Iain MacLeod, the producer of the show, just to discuss potential avenues for Seb going forward and this storyline got mentioned as an option and I thought, well, it's an end for the character and it's a storyline I'd love to be a part of and it's the perfect way for me to wave goodbye to Seb.
"The thing is, I never intended to stay in the show forever and while I was there it was always a goal of mine to play a major part in a story that's as big as this for the show.
"So yeah, when it came through the door it wasn't something that I could pass up, really."
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV